It’s been 19.5 years since Anna Engrem first joined the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) at the College of Veterinary Medicine. 
 
As a veterinary technician specialist (VTS), she’s seen a wide variety of cases over the years, but one type piqued her interest and has shaped her career at the VMC. Engrem found herself fascinated by intriguing neurology cases she encountered. 
 
“I discovered I’m a neuro nerd,” she says. That interest drove Engrem to pursue a VTS degree in neurology, a move she says was supported by the VMC through being given time off for studying and funds toward her national VTS exam.
 
As part of her work with the neurology service, Engrem says she loves building relationships with the patients and clients at the VMC as well as her peers. The latter has been a key part of her long service at the College. 
 
“The caliber of technicians I work with keeps me at the VMC,” Engrem says. “It’s a great group of people that I’m happy to be a part of.”

Working at the VMC also brought the latest addition to Engrem’s family into her life. She, her husband Charles, and 5-year-old daughter Scarlett recently welcomed Lulu, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, into their home. Lulu was surrendered at the VMC, and Engrem’s coworkers knew just the person to contact.   

“My coworker sent me a picture on my birthday with the text saying, ‘Here is your new birthday present,’” she says. “So that night, our family decided we would give her a forever home.”

Now, Lulu tags along with Engrem at work from time to time. Outside of the hospital, Engrem enjoys spending time with her family, eating her favorite foods of pizza and sushi, and sipping on a Diet Coke or hard cider.